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JGSDF Central Band

The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Central Band was established in June, 1951 under the auspices of the National Police Reserve, forerunner to the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, and has been performing ever since. Throughout the last 74 years, it has remained one of Japan’s best-known wind ensembles.

As reporting directly to the Minister of Defense, the Central Band has taken part in more than 1,500 performances for delegations from a total number of about 100 countries to welcome state guests and official visitors and at national events. In 2015, the Prime Minister granted a special award for our achievements.

The Central Band’s main activities include regular concerts in the Tokyo metropolitan area, chamber music concerts, national tour concerts or promenade concerts in business districts. It also appears at a wide range of events such as joint concerts with Bands from the Maritime and Air Self-Defense Forces, the Japan Self-Defense Force Marching Festival held in the Nippon Budokan arena. The Central Band also participated in EXPO 2025 (Osaka, Kansai), “Kyo-en-Prosperous Future for Band into the 21st Century” and the Japan Band Clinic. The band’s participation in numerous international events includes the Olympic games and the Imperial Procession by motorcar after the Ceremony of the Enthronement.

Furthermore, the Central Band provides education and training for members of the other Ground Self-Defense Force bands all over the country as well as produces music CDs and on demand.

The Central Band also has contributed to international exchange through music activities such as participating in music festivals in Republic of Korea (2002, 2004, 2011), Hamina Tattoo in Finland (2014), The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Scotland (2017), Spasskaya Tower International Military Music Festival in Russia (2019), Eksjo International Tattoo in Sweden (2024), chamber music concerts in France (2020), American Bandmasters Association (ABA) 89th Annual Convention: A Star-Spangled Convention (Washington, DC), Midwest Band Clinic,  and joint performanceswith the US Army Japan Band, the III Marine Expeditionary Force Band USMC and Stabsmusikkrops Der Bundeswehr.

The Central Band also has assisted with Music Capacity Building Assistance for musicians of Papua New Guinea Defense Force Band since 2015.

AWARDS
55th Agency for Cultural Affairs National Arts Festival, Excellence Award for CD titled,"The Kings Go Forth"(2000)

18th Academy Award of Band performance by the Japan Musical Education and Culture Promotion Society(2008).

Prestigious Colonel George S. Howard Citation of Music Excellence for Military Concert Bands(2009).

50th and 55th Record Academy Award Japan in Special Section(wind ensemble) for CD titled"Best of March 2 & 3"(2012, 2017)

Pooley Sword of Honor for their outstanding performance and rendition, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo(2017)








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